MCA Buccaneers
Captain Of The Bucs
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers are a trendy pick to win the Single A Division II GHSA State Title. That is in no small part due to Bucs standout, Neo West.
West starts on defense at safety and also starts at QB for Bradley Warren’s Bucs.
Neo West is a local homegrown talent, born and raised in McIntosh County…living in Townsend.
The season started with plans to move West out of the QB role and into the running back position. Coach Bradley Warren instead elected to keep West as their biggest threat on offense at QB.
Neo West is a weapon, a dual threat QB that has a high football IQ. West is just plain smarter than most he plays against. “When I play QB I try to make the smartest play possible and control the offense.”
West went on to say, “I am most comfortable in a Wing-T offense. I like sharing the ball and making big plays happen.” He has made his fair share of big plays, playing both ways since he was a freshman and was a starter at safety and QB as a sophomore.
When asked about what he has learned from his head coach, Bradley Warren, I got this profound answer; “Coach Warren has taught me a lot but one of the biggest things is that I need to be the one to step up. On the football field I need to be the one to step and make a big play when my team needs it. And in life I need to be the one step up and do what needs to be done.”
Neo West has high aspirations on the football field as his goal for this season is to make All-State at safety. Eventually Neo wants to move onto college and major in business. West hopes that college football will be part of that equation.
To this point West has received some interest from Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, and Middle Tennessee State. Most likely as the season wears on more interest will follow.
West also is only a Junior, so he has a whole other year to play for the Bucs after this season.
Neo started playing football at 7 years old. He played both RB and QB on offense and played safety on defense.
I asked Neo what drives him…”My mom is the biggest influence in my life. She has had such a huge positive impact on who I am. She always told me that just because I might be smaller than some other people playing football that none of them could match the size of my heart and to play with heart.” West’s measurables are 5’11 150 pounds. He is tough, hard nosed kid that plays bigger than he is.
Neo is also close with his sister, Judea West. “She is 22 and in college at Middle Macon. We actually call each other twins because we are so much alike. We are always there for each other.”
Neo West is a phenomenal young man that has big things ahead of him.
McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers Coach’s Show w Bradley Warren September 11
McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers Coach’s Show w Bradley Warren August 29
Brunswick High Pirates Coach’s Show w Garrett Grady August 16
Jason Bishop Show w Kipp Branch May 12
Jason Bishop Show w Kipp Branch March 31
MCA Buccaneers Coach’s Show w Bradley Warren October 10
MCA Buccaneers Coach’s Show w Bradley Warren August 15
Swash-Buc-Ler
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
There are lofty expectations for the McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers for the upcoming 2022 football season.
Many believe a deep playoff run will be in the Bucs future come playoff time. A key piece of that equation will be rising Senior JaReese Campbell.
Campbell is expected to take over at QB for MCA. He played running back last season.
Campbell is a dual threat QB with dynamic playmaking ability.
JaReese Campbell knows the expectation his Bucs have on them. “We are pretty good and have a senior heavy team. We expect to make a deep playoff run. Losing in the second-round last year was hard. None of us want to repeat that. Our team is like a big family and we are a bunch of hard workers”
Campbell was born and raised in Darien and has been playing football since the age of seven. He will spend his entire high school career at MCA.
“My parents have been the most impactful people in my life. They have always made sure I had everything I needed to succeed at whatever I decided to take on. They taught me about hard work and have always been very supportive.”
JaReese has set some pretty high goals for himself with that support system in place. “I am still trying to figure out what I want to major in in college but I know I am going. I plan to play football at the college level as well”.
Campbell has gotten looks so far from Middle Tennessee State, Georgia State, East Tennessee State, Wofford, Alcorn State, Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State. As the season progresses, it is a given that more schools will be recruiting JaReese as well.
JaReese has set some personal goals for himself on the football field as well. “I feel like if I throw for 1,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards, we will have a great season. That will allow other talented guys on our team to shine too”.
The Bucs QB will not only be under center for MCA but will play on defense as well. Campbell will be the starting safety for the Bucs. This will be his second year starting at safety for MCA.
“I honestly like playing defense better than offense. On defense, I can be more aggressive and I like that”.
Campbell has some high praise for his coach, Bradley Warren too. “Coach Warren has come in here and made believers out of us. He has shown us what it takes to win. The environment at The Ship on Friday Nights has been really awesome since he got here”.
We will see how well the Bucs do this season, but don’t be shocked to see them have a monster year and to hear the name JaReese Campbell as a huge reason why.
The Border War
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
On Thursday September 8th the first annual Border War Classic will kick off at Glynn County Stadium.
Glynn County Athletic Director said in a press conference to announce the event, “this had been a dream of mine since I became Athletic Director in 2012.”
Fourteen teams will participate in the inaugural event, seven school from Georgia and seven from Mary’s Florida.
Baker Sports and Under Armor have gotten on board to sponsor the event and all games will be streamed live by WJXT out of Jacksonville, FL.
Here are the games:
September 8th 5p: MCA Buccaneers v. West Nassau Warriors The MCA Buccaneers from Darien, GA reside in Region 3-A Public. The Bucs finished last season 6-5-1 and lost in the second round of the GHSA A playoffs.
The West Nassau Warriors from Callahan, FL reside in 2S District 5. The Warriors finished last season’s campaign at 5-5.
September 8th 8p: Glynn Academy Red Terrors v. Creekside Knights The Glynn Academy Red Terrors from Brunswick, GA call Region 3-6A home. Last season the Red Terrors finished 4-6-1 and lost in the 1st round of the GHSA 6A playoffs.
The Creekside Knights are located in 4S District 3. In 2021 the Knights went 8-3 with a loss in the first round of the FHSAA 4S playoffs.
September 9th 5p: Charlton County Indians v. University Christian Christians The Charlton County Indians from Folkston, GA play in Region 2-A. The Indians finished the 2021 campaign with a 7-4 record and made the playoffs.
The University Christian Christians from Jacksonville, FL play in 1M District 1. The Christians went 7-5 in 2021 and made the second round of the playoffs.
September 9th 8p: Brunswick High Pirates v. Bolles Bulldogs The Brunswick High Pirates from Brunswick, GA finished last season with an 11-1 mark. The Pirates made the second round of the GHSA playoffs and play in region 3-6A.
The Bolles Bulldogs from Jacksonville, FL plays in 2M District 2. The Bulldogs made the 3rd round of the playoffs and had a record of 8-3.
September 10th 2p: Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane v. Madison County Cowboys The Purple Hurricane from Fitzgerald, GA won the 2A State Title in 2021, going 13-2.
The Madison County Cowboys from Madison, FL also won a state title in 2021 going 11-3 on their way. The Cowboys play in 1A Region 2 District.
This is the only game that will pit state champions against each other.
September 10th 5p: Coffee County Trojans v. St. Augustine Yellow Jackets The Coffee County Trojans from Douglas, GA play in Region 1 5-A. The Trojans went 7-3 in 2021, making the playoffs.
The St. Augustine Yellow Jackets from St. Augustine, FL are from 3S District 4. The Yellow Jackets went 6-3 last season.
September 10th 8p: Richmond Hill Wildcats v. Baker County Wildcats The Richmond Hill Wildcats from Richmond Hill, GA play in region 1-7A. Last year the Wildcats went 4-6 last season in 6A and made the playoffs.
The Baker County Wildcats from Glen St. Marys, FL made the FHSAA Final Four and finished 11-3 in 5A. Baker County plays in 5A District 2.
